Tag Archives: fruits

10 Reasons to Buy Locally Grown Foods

Greenies are always touting the benefits of buying locally grown foods, but sometimes, you just need to hear the good reasons to do something: 10. Local farms keep taxes in check. Everyone dislikes taxes right? Did you know that local farms contribute more to taxes while suburban development costs more than it generates in taxes? 9. Purchasing locally supports local families. America used to be a country of farms – now there are fewer than 1 million Americans that list farming as their primary occupation. Purchasing locally prevents farming from vanishing from America. 8. Locally grown produce is better for … Continue reading →

9 out of 10 Teens Not Eating Their Vegetables

A new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave teens failing grades when it comes to eating their fruits and vegetables. Only ONE teen out of ten in the United States is getting their recommended daily amount of fruits and veggies. Looks like a lot of kids are going to have to stay after class… for a healthy snack. The news is bad: Only 13% of high school students eat three servings of vegetables daily. Only 32% of high school students eat two servings of fruit daily. Less than one out of every ten kids eat … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Recipes: Unique Salads

In our family the person who has the least amount of cooking experience makes the salad on Thanksgiving. Well, that was our tradition until my brother married a woman, who practically lives on greens. My sister-in-law, who is by no means a slouch when it comes to cooking, is now in charge of providing salads to our family feasts… and I for one couldn’t be happier. Toss out your perception of what a salad should consist of and try these hearty and healthy alternatives this Thanksgiving: BERRYLICIOUS MIXED GREEN SALAD Ingredients: 2 cups mixed field greens 3 cups romaine Red … Continue reading →

Rainbow Fruit Tart

This week both Target and Wal-Mart are having a special on fresh strawberries. The deal: 2 one-pound containers of strawberries for $5. At Target you can also get two 6-ounce containers of raspberries or blueberries for five bucks as well. The deals (and my daughter’s love of strawberries and blueberries) are what inspired me to share this next recipe. If you are looking for a super simple and healthy dish to make for your Easter Sunday brunch this is the recipe for you. It is a cinch to make and as I mentioned earlier, even your pickiest pint-sized family members … Continue reading →

Judging Others

We have all heard the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. Yet we do these things anyway for a variety of reasons. For one, it helps us better discern what others are like. I don’t believe judging others in this sense to be the same as judging in condemnation or out of self-righteousness. Sometimes judging happens as a way to protect ourselves emotionally, spiritually or physically and is, I believe, a God given instinct. Dusk is approaching and you’re on your way to your car. There is a shady looking man that seems to be headed the same … Continue reading →

In Your Kitchen: Protecting Your Family From Dirty Produce

A few months ago newspapers were full of stories about vegetables tainted with E. coli and salmonella. The poisoned veggies (spinach in particular) affected hundreds of people. In fact, the tainted spinach claimed the life of an elderly woman who lived in a city just a few miles from my home. Given our proximity to her death, the news made me sit up and take notice… and certain precautions. I immediately started doing research on products, which claimed to rid produce of nasty germs. One product in particular “CitroBio,” was listed on several health food websites. It’s basically a produce … Continue reading →

Being “Jesus” to Someone

As you go about your day, please don’t forget to bring Christ with you. It’s too easy sometimes for us to get caught up in our rituals and lose sight of what is really important; so often forgetting to take Jesus with us as we head out the door to go about our day. As you get up in the morning, don’t forget to say hello to God and pray for a covering over your day. Pray and ask Him to inspire your actions and your speech. Whether you are going to work, heading to the grocery store or bank, … Continue reading →

Fruits of the Spirit in Our Lives

How fruitful is your life? We are told in Matthew 7:16 that we will know others by their fruits. So, what kinds of fruits to you bear? What kinds of fruits do those who you are influenced by bear? Jesus tells us in John 15:1-2, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” (NKJV) The fruits of the Spirit as told in Galatians 5:22 are: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, … Continue reading →

Food Storage: Storing Fruits and Vegetables

It is important to remember fruits and vegetables should be included in your year’s supply of food. There are several different ways that you can store fruits and vegetables and you should store your fruits and vegetables in a combination of the listed methods. 1) Storing canned fruits and vegetables is most likely the commonest way to store fruits and vegetables. Canned foods have a relatively long shelf life. They are easy to purchase and to store. Many times canned goods go on sale in January and February every year. Canned foods are also easy to prepare. 2) Storing freeze-dried … Continue reading →

Getting The Best Deal On Fresh Produce (Without Having To Grow It Yourself)

Recently, I have written a number of blogs about the benefits of growing your own garden. I have provided tips for the beginner gardener; the non-traditional gardener; and ways to get your children involved in gardening. I hope the tips came in handy. However, I am realistic, I realize there are some people (like my brothers) who wouldn’t be caught dead raking, mulching or fertilizing no matter how many tips I throw at them. And, I know they aren’t alone. So, with that in mind, I have come up with a way that you anti-gardeners can get the freshest fruits … Continue reading →